The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-26
A QUEER OCCUPATION.
The Successful Career of an Ac-
cident-Seeker.

The Successful Career Of an Ac.
cident-Seeker.
1t was with any thing but satisfac
ton that found myself compelled. 0
few weeks ago. to make nights
journey from Slsauesville to Newton
Centres. The firm for which Travelled
was bent on opening up new terri
tory" an had sent me out as pioneer
Skanesville had not developed any con.
siderable desire for our goods. and. as
its alleged "best' hotels offered most
undesirable compound of food and
worse beds, determined to effect my
escape as soon rs possible. To call
Skanesville "cross-road town" would
he gross flattery, for if there is such a
term rs a 'crOss-ten-road town." then
Skanesville is entitled to that designa-
ton. 1t had been difficult place to
get to. but study of railroad guides
showed it even more difficult place
to leave. This was probably The prin-
eipal reason of the growth of the town
- ldCt VII WHlCil Gtlc CNdHeSNiuitcs
were given to boasting. Two trains
left this inland paradise daily, at the
convenient hours of 11:30 p. M. and
4:25 a. m. To get to Newton-Centres.
found 1 should have to change
three times on the night train.
and four on the early morn
ing train. AS I had two heavy
sainple-trunks, chose the former. All
Skanesville seemed TO go to bed at
nine, so, shortly after that hour,
went down to the depot, hoping to find
the ticket agent little livelier COM
panion. In this was disappointed. as
he combined the Office of station-mastcr,
ticket-seller and porter. In the latter
capacity. he had shortly before wrestled
with my trunks, and, when he unhap-
PLY recognized me as their proprietor
he crushed severely all my attempts 1T
familiarity. So sat and smoked, and
walked and smoked, till the train ar
rived, which it naturally did about
forty-five minutes late. A sleeping-car
was an unknown luxury OH that road,
SO Ihad the prospects of pleasant
''sit-up," varied by the numerous waits
and changes in store for me. Fortu-
nately. though the car was pretty well
filled, l found two unoccupicd seats,
and having had one turned over, pro-
.ceeded to make myself as comfortable
as possible, and tried to catch nap.
My comparative ease was short-lived,
for at the next stopping place several
people got on board, and though
pretended to be asleep. one unfeeling
individual came and sat himself on
such portion of the front seat as my
feet left uncovered. | watched him
through my almost closed eyelids, and
did not like his aspect. Something.
did not know what, gave his counte-
nance sinister look. AS he moved
toward the seat. l noticed that he
limped slightly in his walk. There was
certainly q kind of what the Scotch
term an "uneasiness" about him, and
after few minutes took my feet from
the seat, pretended to rouse up aud
mumbled word of apology about
taking up so much room. The stranger
begged me not to mention it, and sug.
gested that my feet did not inconven-
ience him. The steady glare with which
he seemed to be regarding me soon be.
came SO unpleasant that proposed he
should have the seat turned over, and
thus avoid the disagreeableness OF sit
ting with his back to the locomotive.
Il don't mind that bit,' said he
-'besides it's more dangerous.
''More dapgerous!' l repeated, in
.astonishment.
.'Yes; haven't you noticed that in the
sleepers they always make up the berths
with the feet to the locomotivep That's
because if there's sudden jerk you are
thrown forward. Now, if your head's
against the forward partition. you prob
ably, in case of an accident, have your
skull split or break your neck"
Then aren't you afraid of sitting
that wayP" asked.
'.No, like it,"
Ibegan to fear that I had got into
the company of lunatic. l knew
there WAS an asylum somewhere in the
ncighborhood. This mans looks, par
ticularly in the one eye on which tho
dim light of the lamp fell. had the pecu
liar glitter which had read was ciarac'
tcristic Of madman. And he never
took that eye of me!
Iagain nearly closed my eyes and
pretended to be trying to sleep. but all
the time ! was keeping a sharp look
out lest he should develop any violent
tendencies.
Soon the roadbed began to get Sc
rough that q succession OF sharp jerk
nearly threw me of the seat. Pretens,
At sleep was no longer possible. so
sst up, rubbed my eyes and remarked
"This Is pretty rough road"
.'You can bet it's about the worst
know In the whole country. That
why I'm working it. But Charley
Hlcksis driving tonight and he's se
careful I'm afraid there isn't any
chsnce1'
There was no longer any doubt ths
the man was mad. ] glanced rount
the car 10 see u there was an unoccu
uiad saat In which could cony0nientl,